An efficient edge based technique for text detection in video frames

Abstract

Both graphic text and scene text detection in video images with complex background and low resolution is still a challenging and interesting problem for researchers in the field of image processing and computer vision. In this paper, we present a novel technique for detecting both graphic text and scene text in video images by finding segments containing text in an input image and then using statistical features such as vertical and horizontal bars for edges in the segments for detecting true text blocks efficiently. To identify a segment containing text, heuristic rules are formed based on combination of filters and edge analysis. Furthermore, the same rules are extended to grow the boundaries of a candidate segment in order to include complete text in the input image. The experimental results of the proposed method show that the technique performs better than existing methods in terms of a number of metrics. © 2008 IEEE.